Lower Macungie Library will be closed Dec. 23, 25 and Jan. 1, 2018 and will close 1 p.m. Dec. 30.

The Lower Macungie Library Book Club will meet 10:30 a.m. Jan. 3, 2018 to discuss “The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey. The book for Feb. 7, 2018 is “Winter Garden” by Kristin Hannah.

There will be a teen movie afternoon for students in grades six through 12, 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 27. There will also be snacks. Bring a pillow or blanket to get comfy on the floor.

There will be a jigsaw puzzle tournament 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 27, 2018 at the library. Register as a team or individual in your age bracket by Jan. 20, 2018. There are student, adult and family divisions. Prizes will be awarded.

There are many preschool story times throughout the week. The schedule can be found at www.lowermaclib.org.

For more information on classes or story times, call the library at 610-966-6864 or go to the library website www.lowermaclib.org.

The next Friends of Lower Macungie Library meeting is 10 a.m. Jan. 20, 2018 in the library. Elections for new officer positions will be held. New members are welcome.

Donations for the spring book sale will be accepted starting Jan. 8, 2018. Sorting for the spring book sale will begin 8:30 to 10 a.m. Jan. 11, 2018.

The Friends will sponsor “Cherries, Chocolate and Jazz,” an evening of jazz music by Austin Kruczek and The Modern Missive along with appetizers, desserts and wine 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 2018 in the library. The event tickets (18 years and older) can be purchased at the library or on the website.

Concordia Lutheran Church will hold a Christmas open house starting 6 p.m. Dec. 21. There will be light snacks 6 to 6:45 p.m.; tree lighting 6:45 p.m. and a carol sing 7 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 610-965-3265.

Christmas trees will be picked up the weeks of Jan. 8, 2018 and Jan. 15, 2018 on regular trash collection day. Remove all decorations and do not bind the trees with rope or string or place in a plastic bag. Trees can also be dropped off at the yard waste recycling center, 5536 Indian Creek Road.

Concordia Lutheran Preschool will have a registration day open house to enroll students for the 2018-2019 school year 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 15, 2018. The staff will give tours and accept registration for the 2018-2019 school year. For more information, call 610-965-3265.

Concordia Lutheran Preschool will hold its annual spaghetti dinner and auction Jan. 27, 2018. Tickets can be purchased by calling the church office at 610-965-3265.

Concordia Lutheran Church will hold its annual chili cook-off 2 p.m. Jan. 28, 2018 followed by a talent fest and trivia game 3 p.m. All are welcome to taste and judge chili and stay for the fest and trivia game. There is a small donation for your voting pepper.

In Ancient Oak news, there will be no January 2018 meeting. The next meeting will be held Feb. 7, 2018. There will also be a hoagie sale in February 2018. The ladies of Ancient Oaks wish a Happy Holiday to all.

The Lower Macungie Historical Society has co-sponsored the production of a 2018 calendar featuring the traffic on the rail lines which cut through the township. The calendar will be available at the new museum.

The Lower Macungie Senior Citizens Club meets noon Jan. 2 and 16, 2018 at the Lower Macungie Township Community Center. After a business meeting, members play bingo or card games.

The community center offers a number of activities. Children’s activities include Mommy/Daddy & Me Soccer, Toddlers and Tutus, Creative Arts Theater Camp, Minecraft and Kindermusik classes. Adult programs include card making classes, Feng Shui, home staging, organization, community meal prep, ballroom dancing, Pilates, Tai Chi and Zumba.

There will be a safe sitter class for ages 11 and older 8:30 to 4 p.m. Jan. 27, 2018.

For more information, contact the community center at 610-966-6924.

Family open gym time is 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays for ages infant through 10 years with a parent. Proof of residency is required.

Yard waste site winter hours are noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The site is closed Tuesday and Thursday. Yard waste permits are required for drop off. Be prepared to show your photo I.D. as proof of residency.

I recently purchased a new cellphone. Ben, who loves gadgets and electronics, was eager to help me set it up. He had already started following the voice prompts to set up Siri when I pointed out that it would only respond to his voice and not mine. He assured me, “Oh no, I’m talking like you do so it will listen to you.” It didn’t quite work out that way and we joked that Ben hijacked my Siri!

Happy 12th birthday, Ben!

To all my readers, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May you have a blessed holiday season.

The next township column will be published Jan. 17, 2018; copy deadline is Jan. 11, 2018.